Apple and Google to review DUI checkpoint-dodging applications

Apple and Google are in Washington, D.C., testifying before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law. Both companies have already testified in regards to collecting location data from users, but there are more questions to be answered. Senator Charles Schumer asked Apple and Google why the firms were allowing developers to publish applications that alert drivers of DUI checkpoints. “Apple and Google shouldn’t be in the business of selling apps that help drunk drivers evade the police, and they shouldn’t be selling apps that they themselves admit are terrible,” Schumer said. The iTunes App Store is home to “DUI Dodger,” a $2.99 application that allows users to submit and view DUI checkpoints in their area. The developer’s iTunes page says: “The idea is that information is power, and people will be less inclined to drink and drive if they know that there is a checkpoint in their area, that they are drunk, and that driving drunk carries major consequences.” The Android Market has similar applications including “Checkpoint Wingman,” a $1.99 app with a feature set that’s similar to DUI Dodger. “We do have a set of content policies regarding our Android Marketplace and although we have to evaluate each app separately, apps that share information about sobriety checkpoints are not a violation of our policies, director of public policy at Google, Alan Davidson, said. “We definitely have a policy that… [we] will not allow apps that will encourage illegal activity” Bud Tribble, Apple’s vice president of software technology, said. Apple and Google will review the applications and have been asked to follow-up with Schumer’s office within one month to explain whether or not the applications will be pulled.

We have a right know! Just like we have a right to know where child molesters live around us.

Anonymous

I think at least in Ohio, they have to announce when and where they’ll have a checkpoint. And they announce them on the radio all the time. I don’t know how this is any different. I hate the idea of drunk driving but the censorship is going a bit too far.

http://profiles.google.com/vicmatson Vic Matson

How about the other way around? If police have information about dangerous roads, why don’t they have to disclose it. Instead of me having the GPS coordinates in a database they put up speed and red light cameras.

If one dies on a public street and the police know the intersection is dangerous, why can’t I sue (or rather my family).

http://www.droiddoes.com/ Norm

If you are sober enough to operate and comprehend the app then you probably are okay to drive.

Drew

I like Schumer but he’s an uninformed idiot.. I don’t know about other states but under California DUI law, DUI checkpoints must give the public advance notice of an upcoming sobriety checkpoint. There’s a TON of websites that alert drivers about these checkpoints on a regular basis so thanks Chuck for bringing unintentional publicity to an app that’s increased it’s sales %3,000 because of this.. I’m sure the developer thanks you as well.

http://www.facebook.com/schramk Kevin Schram

I hate Schumer and he’s an uniformed idiot.

http://twitter.com/SugarMouth Mark Carruthers

Exactly!
DUI/DWI checkpoints must be disclosed by the agency conducting the enforcement.

Anonymous

This is BS! Schumer wants apps like these and Trapster off the market because it helps people avoid tickets and tickets are a revenue source.

Anonymous

Drunks are street scum and drunk drivers are many times worst than that, drunk drivers should be caught up iin unanonced checkpoints, if drunk they should spend a year in jail, loose their vehicle and have 5 years supervised probation. and dont throw that “It’s a disease” crap at me either, it’s a choice, you drive drunk or you dont drive drunk, your choice.

Jasonhallier

That’s not the issue here at all. You have totally missed the point. Arguing the ethical or moral points to drunk driving is another forum entirely. I do believe the topic is in regard to the censorship of private sector app markets.

http://www.thenerdblurb.com Jeremiah

Wow Todd, this is BEYOND interesting – If I wouldn’t of read your post I really would have never known about any of this! lol I had heard that their was some “app’ that was out their that located DUI checkpoints but I thought it was a “black-hat” or “pirate/warez” type material… For it to be in the APP store is absolutely histaricle and pathetic at the same time…. And after hearing their excuse “people will be less inclined to drink and drive…….” YEAH RIGHT!!!!!!

Well written though Todd and thanks again,

Jeremiah R.

http://twitter.com/SugarMouth Mark Carruthers

Hey, vehicle manufactures are able to sell cars that exceed the speed limit, smoke shops sell “tobacco” pipes, guns stores sell guns and so on. Maybe
Senator Charles Schumer should ask Chevrolet why they build cars that go over 200 mph! He has a big can of worms to deal with if he goes this route!

guest

Democrats trying to take away more company and individual rights…..what a shock….not.

Jon

You mean like the right to get married and the right for women to decide what goes on within their own bodies? Those rights, right?

Maybe they should have apps that tell us how is our government performance doing! and their approval percentage.

http://webhostingreview.info/linux-hosting/ Top Linux Hosting

Good decision by both the brands!!..

KCRic

“We definitely have a policy that… [we] will not allow apps that will encourage illegal activity”

Really? What about those drug dealing games or that dog fighting one on Android? OR the mob games. The list goes on and on. Those are fine but when one is actually useful or deals with cops it’s a no-no? F*ck you.

It’s cool, all the bars and some clubs announce where the checkpoints are anyway. No need for the app.

Anonymous

Shorter Chuck Shumer: what business has anyone got selling things I disapprove of? Constitutional prohibition of prior restraint be damned!

When Chuck Shumer stops blocking criminal prosecutions at Goldman Sachs and AIG, he might have some credibility on law and order issues. Until then, well, no.

http://twitter.com/Danage420 Dan Age

It’s my right to share information with my fellow citizens, I do not drive drunk but, I HATE BEING HARASSED BY THE POLICE.